Chapter 16 The Only One Who Can Fix The Problem Is The One Who Created It

Finneas had an inexplicable feeling as he stared at the number on the slip of paper. After a moment of hesitation, he took the note and headed out of the private room. “Finneas, it's about to start, where are you going again?” Jayson had been closely observing Finneas. Hence, he promptly asked out loud. If Finneas were to leave, who would he show off to tonight? However, Finneas ignored him as if he hadn't heard a thing and walked out of the private room! Darn it! Jayson clenched his fists. His fury drove him to desire gathering a group of people to ruthlessly trample Finneas underfoot. A societal parasite, a mere insignificant creature! What right do you have to be so arrogant? How dare you ignore me time and time again? “Mr. Yowell, he's just a nobody, there's no need to pay him any mind!” Upon noticing something was amiss, a school leader promptly voiced out. “Jayson, you and Finneas are from two different worlds... he's not worth your attention.” Sabrina gently persuaded. “Hehe. You've got it all wrong! I was just worried about not being a good host. Finneas might have been in a bad mood, but I'm someone who values relationships deeply. He's an old classmate of mine, I wouldn't want to embarrass him.” A smile returned to Jayson's face, yet a trace of coldness flickered in the depths of his eyes. Finneas had offended him by repeatedly embarrassing him. Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately took out his phone and sent a message. After leaving the private room, Finneas found a secluded corner and pulled out his mobile phone. He dialed the number he had found on the piece of paper. At this point, the only option was to face it head-on. He had made up his mind! If Natalie was truly having a hard time, then he would win her back!! Loving someone meant accepting all their flaws. Moreover, it was Finneas himself who had let her down. The call quickly connected. “Hello?” The raspy voice of Natalie came through from the other end of the phone. The voice didn't sound like it belonged to a woman in her thirties. Instead, it resembled the voice of a woman who had experienced a great deal of hardship in life! “It's me.” Finneas' voice slightly quivered. “Natalie, it's me, Finneas! I have returned...” There was a long silence on the other end of the phone, followed by an abrupt end to the call. Undeterred, Finneas tried calling again. However, this time, the other party didn't even pick up. “Natalie...” Finneas clenched his fists, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Meanwhile, inside a dimly lit, cramped basement. Natalie sat on the bed, holding an old mobile phone as tears silently streamed down her face. If this had been awhile back, she would certainly have given Finneas a piece of her mind, demanding to know where he had been all these years upon receiving his call. She wanted to ask why he chose to disappear all those years ago? However, during the day, when she saw Finneas being intimate with two young girls, her heart was utterly broken. It wasn't that she didn't trust Finneas, but she couldn't find any reason to trust him anymore. Natalie walked up to the mirror, gazing at her reflection. Her face was slightly pallid, and she appeared utterly dispirited and melancholic. Reflecting on the hardships she had endured over the past decade, she couldn't help but feel like a complete fool! She was undeniably a beauty, wealthy and fair-skinned, widely recognized as the campus belle. Yet, why did she have to endure so much hardship? Her life now felt like a complete mess, all for the sake of that so-called, laughable thing called love. “Mommy... Mommy.” At that moment, a girl dressed in a pink skirt suddenly woke up from her dream. The little girl had big eyes and long lashes, her features as delicate as a porcelain doll's. However, her overall demeanor seemed rather stiff and awkward. “Mommy's here, Mommy's right here.” Natalie's heart ached as she quickly comforted the girl. After the little girl's emotions gradually calmed down, only then did she take out her phone and make a call. Once the call connected, a hoarse voice came through. “Mom, I was wrong, I want to come home tomorrow.” “Natalie, you've finally come to understand! Don't hold it against your father. He watched you suffer and it pained his heart! If he hadn't frozen your card, you would've never given up!” On the other end of the phone, a woman offered words of comfort. Subsequently, the woman spoke again. “Natalie, do you still remember the Janssen family?” “I do!” “Here's the thing,” she began. “Your brother will be making a trip to Jacaster in a few days. If you're facing any difficulties right now, you could seek help from the Janssen family. Then, you can return home with him when the time comes. Does that sound good?” Upon hearing those words, Natalie fell silent for a moment. The Janssen family was a prestigious family in Jacaster. The fiancé her mother had previously introduced to her was also a member of the Janssen family. So, of course, she understood what her mother meant by saying this! If this had been in the past, there was no way she would have agreed. But now, she simply didn't care anymore. “All right!” Natalie responded. After hanging up the phone, her haggard face instantly turned cold. She made a vow, promising that from that day forward, she would never let anyone take advantage of her and her daughter again! Never again! On the other end, Finneas returned to the private room. “Finn, are you okay?” Alyssa noticed something was amiss and asked worriedly. “I'm fine!” Finneas shook his head. In truth, Natalie's reaction was within his expectations. After seven years of being in a relationship with her, he knew Natalie's personality all too well. Natalie was a person who took relationships very seriously. Given that she was already married and had a daughter, no matter how difficult her life might have been, there was no chance she would involve herself with him again. What baffled him was, why did Natalie leave her phone number with the teacher? “What did she say?” At that moment, Simeon posed a question from the sidelines. “She said a brief 'hello', then promptly hung up the phone.” Finneas let out a bitter laugh. “This... can't be! She provided her number so that you can call her.” Simeon furrowed his brow. “Perhaps something unknown has happened along the way.” Finneas shook his head and sighed. “It's no use dwelling on it now. The past is the past. Insisting on holding onto it only brings harm to both sides.” Simeon nodded. As a teacher to both of them, his capabilities were limited. He also understood that when it came to matters of the heart, outsiders couldn't offer much help. The only one who can fix the problem is the one who created it. As time went by, several more people gradually trickled into the private room. They were all school leaders and some of the individuals responsible for the construction of the new campus. Every single person who arrived was excessively cordial toward Jayson, greeting him with nods and bows. Their enthusiasm was quite evident. “Indeed, meeting you in person surpasses hearing about you by reputation, Mr. Yowell. You truly are a paragon of talent!” “Haha. Mr. Yowell, you really went through a lot of trouble this time!” “Mr. Yowell, if given the opportunity, I'd like to host you for a meal. I hope you'll honor me with your presence when the time comes.” “You all are too kind! It's truly my honor to be able to contribute to my alma mater.” Jayson held his head high and puffed out his chest, thoroughly relishing the adulation of the crowd. Especially since these individuals were leaders from his alma mater, it gave him an even stronger sense of accomplishment and recognition. Just then, Theodore cast a glance at Finneas and spoke in a nonchalant manner. “Mr. Yowell has a big heart, unlike some people who are petty and have no abilities, yet still put on airs.” As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes in the room turned to Finneas, their expressions peculiar. Some late arrivals couldn't grasp why Theodore was singling out Finneas. After nearby individuals explained the situation, understanding dawned quickly. Enough of that! Here was another person with lofty ambitions but a fragile life. They had encountered enough people like this before. With a brief glance, they swiftly averted their gaze. They were here to build relations with Jayson that day. They certainly didn't need to waste their time on an overconfident insignificant figure. “What right do you have to talk to Finn like that?” Alyssa couldn't stand anyone talking to her brother like that and immediately grew angry. “Lyssie, don't spout nonsense.” Kelly, who was beside Alyssa, quickly grabbed her. Theodore was the Vice-Chancellor of Jacaster University, while they were students at the same institution. Alyssa was essentially putting herself on the hot seat! “Are you a student at our school?” Theodore looked at Alyssa, his expression somber. Before Alyssa could respond, Kelly immediately stood up, offering an apologetic smile as she said, “Mr. Walston, Lyssie is still young and naive, please don't take her words to heart.” “Hmph! Young people should act their age, don't think that just because you're full of passion, you can be fearless! Otherwise, the price you'll have to pay might be more than you can handle!” “You're so young and yet, you have no sense of propriety! If you want to get kicked out of school, I can help you with that.” Theodore let out a dismissive snort. Upon hearing those words, Alyssa's face turned pale. She hadn't expected the other party to be so unreasonable, using her student status as a threat right off the bat. Upon witnessing the scene, Jayson stood off to the side, arms crossed over his chest as if he were merely a spectator at a play. He knew that Theodore was deliberately trying to butter him up, but he still felt secretly thrilled. Meanwhile, Sabrina gave a slight shake of her head, finding the situation rather amusing. Not only was Finneas clueless, but his sister turned out to be just as foolish! Indeed, not all family members were on the same page. How dare a mere commoner student question a school leader?